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"His balance has come on lots since he’s been skateboarding," Patrick said, when The Herald met the father and son at the Central Park skate park.

“We go every weekend, here if it’s not raining and if it’s early, because it’s quite small and gets pretty busy by the afternoon. He’s already done two hours over at Prime before we came here today!"

Patrick Mervyn and son Caspar aged 7 pictured enjoying the current skate park at Central Park before it is demolished. (Image: Paul Slater Images)

But the sport, which will be featured at the Olympics for the first time at Tokyo 2020, has also helped Caspar in other ways - and Patrick believes it can teach all youngsters some very valuable life-lessons.

"Skateboarding also teaches them other things. It’s all about getting back on and being resilient, improving your ability.

He felt the new design with its mix of beginners and high-skill sections were a great boon to all skateboarders, bikers and scooter-riders as well, noting that if it was made for just the experienced skaters – like himself – it could put off the newbies.